Childminder in Walsall

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY438836 Inspection date 03/05/2012 Inspector Kath Harding

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and two children in Willenhall, West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two rabbits and two cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effective care and learning opportunities, promoting positive outcomes for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Their individual needs, likes, dislikes and interests are taken into consideration ensuring that the childminder's practice is fully inclusive. Strong links with parents help to involve them in their children's care and education, and they are kept well informed of their children's progress. The childminder is keen to develop working in partnership with others. The childminder has an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and takes effective steps to improve it.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop effective communication methods between settings to ensure that children's needs are met and there is continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She has attended recent safeguarding training and ensures she closely supervises the children in her care. She knows of her responsibility to ensure that all people living in the house or employed on the premises are suitably checked. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Written risk assessments are undertaken which include the different areas of the childminder's home, garden and different outings the children take part in. A recorded daily check is also undertaken to ensure the premises are safe prior to the children arriving. This helps to keep children safe and ensure immediate action is taken to manage and eliminate risks.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates a welcoming environment where, resources and toys are accessible for children, so helping to promote their independence. Each child has a book containing their starting points, recorded observations, art work and photographs. A tracker is also in place to ensure there are no gaps in the children's learning and development. The childminder has a good understanding of issues relating to equality and diversity, as she ensures all children and their families are included and treated with equal concern and respect.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good. Regular information is sought from parents regarding their child's individual care routine, particular ways to comfort their child and favourite things at home. This means that the childminder provides consistent care for each child. Children's starting points are also gained in conjunction with parents as they complete an 'All about me form'. The childminder encourages a two-way flow of information between her and the parents so they know all about their child's day and records information in a daily diary. The childminder produces a monthly newsletter to ensure parents are aware of all the different activities taking place. A book containing photographs of the children taking part in different activities has been produced for parents. Parents are encouraged to add comments to the daily diaries and the learning folders if they choose, so further aiding partnership working. Parents are involved in contributing their views and

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the early years provision

suggestions via informal chats and questionnaires in order to bring about future improvement. Some parental comments on the service provided include: 'My childminder always keeps me up to date with what my child has done during the day and they come home happy and well fed. Library and playgroups are great for social interaction and outdoor time is good'. 'I am definitely sure I have found the right childminder and she provides a high standard of care'. Parents are asked to read the childminder's policies and procedures that underpin the service offered and are requested to sign to say they agree to these.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she constantly reflects on how to improve her service. She has made changes to her practice to suit the individual needs of the children attending. She gives stickers to children for trying new foods and has obtained new resources and involved the children in helping to choose the new toys. She obtains advice from development workers and other childminders to help improve her practice. The childminder understands the benefits of liaising with other providers to promote learning and consistency for the children, but this liaison is not yet fully in place. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and quietly confident in the childminder's suitably organised home. They adopt good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands prior to eating, and after touching the pets. They use individual colour coded towels, so they know which one to use and to help reduce the risk of cross infection. Signs displayed in the bathroom encourage good hand washing techniques. Children are given healthy and nutritious home-made meals such as fish pie and spaghetti dishes. The children are encouraged to play lotto games so they learn about healthy food options. They get plenty of fresh air, rest and exercise as this is incorporated into their daily routine. They go to the park, for nature walks and access a wide range of physical activities both indoors and outside, such as, a climbing frame, slide, sit and rides, cars and tricycles to help develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder places high priority on keeping the children safe and on them learning about safety. When out walking they talk about road safety and the childminder has obtained a road safety game to further re-enforce the children's learning and understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children practise fire drills so they know how to get themselves out of the house in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement with the children so helping to promote their confidence and self-esteem. Babies gurgle and babble as they communicate with the childminder. The childminder provides toys and resources, such as, bells, noisy toys and mirrors which help stimulate their interests. They enjoy listening to the different musical instruments and the sounds they make as they are encouraged to have a go and press the buttons. As they look at the topic of people who help us they can visit the role play area set up as a doctors surgery, so helping the children to act out familiar roles. They have fun as they sing action rhymes and explore the objects in the treasure baskets. They look at the different colours of the buttons in the rain maker and talk about their favourite colours. They can explore in the shredded paper, the cooked pasta and the paint. They plant seeds and grow flowers and tend to these. They help look

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and outcomes for children

after the rabbits so learning to care for living things. As children express an interest in dinosaurs, the childminder helps children make connections in their learning by taking the children to a dinosaur exhibition and looking in the library for dinosaur books.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and begin to understand about the wider world as they access toys and resources, such as, books, play figures and dolls. They regularly visit toddler sessions, the library and the woods, so becoming aware of their local community. They visit the farm, an art gallery and museums to gain an awareness of the world around them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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